Books for anxious or worried children
Worries about the dark, new places, monsters or getting things wrong are all part of growing up, but they can feel enormous. These books name the feeling, show a child that they are not the only one, and offer small, gentle ways to feel brave again.
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The Cobra's Song
Ages 8–12Indian author
Ten-year-old Gauri, afraid of almost everything, must face her fears and find her voice in an adventure steeped in Indian folklore.
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Somnath Hore: Wounds
by Likla (illus. Kripa Bhatia)
Ages 8–12Indian author
A picture-book biography of the sculptor and printmaker Somnath Hore, whose art grew out of the pain of famine and war. It gently helps children talk about difficult feelings such as pain, anger, fear and uncertainty. Part of the Art Exploration series.
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That Night
by Bijal Vachharajani (illus. Shrujana Niranjani Shridhar)
Ages 7–12Indian author🔍 Hard to find in India
Chaitu wakes up to loud, angry voices and a fire raging in the distance, and fears for her family, friends and home. A short, powerful story about fear, intolerance and how it feels to be targeted.
Heads-up: Violence
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Kitabon Wala Ghar
by Jasbir Bhullar (illus. Chandramohan Kulkarni; trans. Rakesh Pankaj)
Ages 9–13Indian author
Childhood stories from rural Punjab in 1946–49, told through young Veer: a dying plant brought home, a stray dog, a dozing teacher, an open-air film, and the fear that spreads through the village during Partition. Translated from Punjabi into Hindi.
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Where Is Mr. Thookam?
by Anusha Veluswamy (illus. Janan Abir)
Ages 3–7Indian author🔍 Hard to find in India
Pattu wakes in the night to find Mr. Thookam (sleep) gone, and she and her Akka set out to find him. A funny, comforting story about night-time fears and the love between two sisters.
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A Song From Where I Live
by Smrithi Devakumar
Ages 4–8Indian author
A love letter to home and the natural world, from the earth and sky to the wind, inviting readers to find the extraordinary in the ordinary and ask what makes their wings shimmer.
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Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall
Ages 3–6
Jabari is sure he's ready to jump off the diving board, until he's at the top. With his dad's gentle support, he finds his courage.
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The Kissing Hand
by Audrey Penn
Ages 3–6
Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, so his mother kisses his palm to give him a kiss he can carry all day. A classic for first-day nerves.
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The Invisible String
by Patrice Karst
Ages 3–7
Twins learn that an invisible string of love connects them to the people they care about, even when they're apart. Often used for separation and loss.
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In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
by Jo Witek
Ages 2–5
A girl describes how each feeling sits in her heart, from happy and brave to sad and angry. A beautiful first book for naming emotions.
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Ruby Finds a Worry
by Tom Percival
Ages 3–6
Ruby's small worry grows bigger each day until she learns that talking about it makes it shrink. A gentle book about sharing worries.
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Llama Llama Misses Mama
by Anna Dewdney
Ages 3–5
It's Llama Llama's first day of school and he misses his mama. He finds out that school can be fun too. A rhyming read-aloud for first-day nerves.
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Owl Babies
by Martin Waddell
Ages 2–5
Three baby owls wake up and find their mother gone. They wait and worry until she flies home. A classic for little ones who miss a parent.
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The Bear and the Hare and the Fair
by Em Lynas
Ages 4–5
A lovely book about friendship, trying something new, and going out of your comfort zone. Full of rhyming, fun language.
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Beautiful Oops!
by Barney Saltzberg
Ages 3–6
Every smudge, torn page, and accident is a chance to make something beautiful. A tactile, hands-on book that turns art anxiety into pure creative joy.
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Dancing Dumplings for My One and Only
by Eva Wong Nava (illus. Natelle Quek)
Ages 4–8
A girl loves making dumplings with her grandma. When Grandma falls ill, she pours her love, memories and worry into the dumplings Grandma taught her to make.
